It’s been four years now
since KJ-52 appeared on the Christian rap scene. Most fans are familiar
with 52 for his “controversial” song “Dear Slim,” which challenges Eminem’s
worldview. It all started, however, with 7th Avenue, an ambitious
hip-hop album that introduced a skeptical Christian rap audience to a fresh
rapper who could preach like Billy Graham with the youthfully appealing
style of Slim Shady.

Since most of KJ’s fans emerged
during the Collaborations release, Essential Records decided to
reintroduce people to 7th Avenue, because, as an industry exec put
it, “Many fans are either unaware of or unable to get their hands on his
first project.”

If you take a simple look
at the track listing for the “2004 version,” you’ll find that this version
of 7th Avenue isn’t an exact reproduction of the 2000 recording.

The first and most obvious
omissions to the original are the “Greatest M.C.” vignettes at the opening,
middle, and closing of the disc. The well-meaning, but somewhat goofy
integration of hip-hop culture and Christianity didn’t really set the mood
for the rest of the album. This deletion was a good call.

Instead, the re-release opens
with “1-2-3,” a hard-edged rap that makes for a great opening to the album.
KJ doesn’t waste any time getting to his theological position, stating
“No matter whose the dopest / without Christ you’re hopeless.” Reggae
rapper Yankee Man, who sounds like a Jamaican DMX, contributes a catchy
chorus hook.

Also missing from the new
version are two skits, “Melvin’s Not Here” and “Mickey Cakes.” I
never personally heard these skits, but I would imagine that they are something
like the “leave a message” bits from KJ’s sophomore disc, Collaborations.
I heard that there was a song about cheeseburgers and fries from the original,
but it was nowhere to be found on the ’04 edition.

In my opinion, the deletions
were probably a good thing, because it made room for previously unreleased
tracks that are stellar.

The first track that is new
to 7th Avenue is “Lift Me Up,” a song that label Essential Records
calls “KJ’s take on the hit tune ‘Flood’ by Jars of Clay.” I enjoyed
the song, but I was half expecting to hear the “If I can’t swim after 40
days…” chorus. It never came! Computerized voices repeat the
phrase “lift me up” throughout the song in Jars of Clay style. The
familiar violin bridge from “Flood” is also thrown into the mix.
I think that most people will be left feeling that something was missing
from this track. It was good nonetheless.

“All Around the World” throws
a trio of awesome rappers together on one track. KJ’s friends John
Reuben and L.A. Symphony member Pigeon John appear for a tag-team-style
rap attack. I give you permission to crank this song in your decked-out
Escalade, seriously. The hook rocks (All around the world go / ooh-ooh
/ my brother in the Lord would you sing / ooh-ooh / To all my little ladies
in Mercedes / ooh-ooh / we step into the scene and make the place / cool-cool),
and shows a lot of fun between rappers who have the same mission statement.

Christian rockers Silage
contribute vocals and instruments for “Need Someone,” arguably the best
track on the album. We’re all familiar with KJ’s alternative tendencies
(Peace of Mind ring a bell?), so this song comes as no stylistic surprise
to me. The chorus, provided by Silage, reminds me of Jars of Clay’s
“Unforgetful You”. Fans of alternative rock could find some common
ground with hip-hoppers. Don’t expect head-banging rap-rock; this
particular fusion of styles is mellower than KJ’sPeace of Mind
escapades.

7th Avenue ends with
another song new to the album, “12 Round Knockout.” This isn’t really
a new song; die-hard KJ-52 fans know that this was on the soundtrack for
Carman’s movie, The Champion. The song is as brash and as
in-your-face as the first song, using boxing as a metaphor for the Christian
walk. “I’m going all 12 rounds and I’m never going to drop out!”
says KJ.

Of course, we can’t forget
the original songs that were kept. “We Rock the Mic” is a great tribute
to old skool hip-hop, a true KJ-52 classic. Also check out the “It’s
the S.O.I.” remix (way better than the 2000 versionl). The 7th
Avenue version of dcTalk’s “The Hardway” destroys the original (sorry,
Toby). It’s true that the new songs rock, but they’re just bonuses
on an already sweet album.

If you’re a fan of the classic,
pop-friendly stylings of today’s KJ-52, don’t expect a like-minded prequel
to Collaborations and It’s Pronounced Five-Two. This
disc is harder, but not in a Peace of Mind, hard rock sort of way.
This is edgy rap infused with biblical truth. It’s true that KJ’s
style has changed over the years, but his commitment to using hip-hop as
a vehicle for the Gospel has not.